Five percent of New Jersey’s population is of Puerto Rican heritage — that’s about 462,995 people. Puerto Ricans are the largest group within New Jersey’s Hispanic population, and New Jersey ranks #3 in Puerto Rican population nationwide. The state takes pride in its Puerto Rico Commission, which was formed with the goals of “supporting ongoing recovery efforts, exploring economic development opportunities, and promoting educational and cultural exchange between New Jersey and Puerto Rico.”
New Jersey’s Members of Congress are a presence on federal legislation that has a Puerto Rican focus. Senator Cory Booker (D) and three New Jersey Representatives (Reps. Andy Kim (D), Donald Payne (D), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)) are cosponsors of the Puerto Rico Status Act. In addition, both Senator Booker and Senator Bob Menendez (D) are cosponsors of the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Act, which aims to reintegrate Puerto Rico back into the federal nutrition assistance program – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D) has endorsed the House version of this bill.
Like other Northeastern states, most of New Jersey’s first residents from Puerto Rico came as temporary farm workers. There had been some people from Puerto Rico living in New Jersey from the beginning of the 20th century, but in 1946, two hundred agricultural laborers were brought to the state and shortly thereafter thousands of agricultural contract workers arrived. By 1954, about 8,300 such workers were living in New Jersey — half described as “walk-ins” and the others brought in under contract to specific companies. A report from the State Department of Education Division against Discrimination in 1955 gives these details and also states that the insular Department of Labor provided protections to the migrant workers “that is not offered in any fashion to the Southern Negro worker.”
Puerto Rican workers were reportedly more likely to “skip out” — that is, to leave the farms before the end of the harvest season, usually to take other kinds of jobs at higher pay. Farm jobs paid less than industrial work and the workers had to pay for their transportation and food out of their wages. Those who left the farms for better jobs in New Jersey could stay permanently as U.S. citizens and build new lives for themselves, and the report from the Department of Education claims that about 30% of the agricultural workers made this choice.
Mid-century history
The Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade became an annual tradition beginning in 1961. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, civil rights were a central issue in New Jersey, including in Newark, which was and is an important Puerto Rican enclave. In 1972, the Industrial Mission of Puerto Rico brought together organizers to build a union for the farmworkers. After creating a disbanding a couple of organizations, they succeeded in 1973 in putting together the Asociacion de Trabajadores Agricolas de Puerto Rico (A.T.A.). Although there was still conflict, including incidents with the police and court cases, A.T.A. eventually merged with Cesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers Organizing Committee of the A.F.L.-C. I .O.
In 1974, there were skirmishes with the police which are known as the Puerto Rican Riots. “Eventually, these factors led to the establishment of Latinx social organizations, unity within the community, and political visibility; all of which continue today,” wrote Nicole Torres in an examination of oral history records of the time. “After the ‘riots,’ ” she explained, “Puerto Ricans still held celebrations after the Puerto Rican Day parade and played the same games at Washington Park, except the festivals were now more respected by police and no longer had mounted officers patrolling the park.”
Torres believes that the unrest in Newark made people more aware of Puerto Ricans in New Jersey as well as more respectful of them. Puerto Ricans began to be represented in the police force and the legislature, including City Councilman Angel M. Quiñones, Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo, and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos.
Puerto Ricans in New Jersey today
Governor Phil Murphy has declared the third Sunday of September of each year as “Puerto Rico Day,” but New Jersey’s Puerto Rican population is an important part of the state every day.
The average Puerto Rican in new Jersey is 34 years old, has health insurance and a median household income of $59,233, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. 43% own their own homes and has a high school diploma and some college. 24% of the women in this population have a Bachelor’s Degree, compared with 15% of the men, but the women still have a median income of $58,116 compared with $65,923 for the men. (Data from the U.S. Census Bureau via Centro).
New Jersey residents can experience the culinary flavors of Puerto Rico through a growing number of restaurants serving traditional dishes like mofongo (mashed plantains), pasteles (savory pockets filled with meat and vegetables), and lechón asado (roast pork). These culinary experiences provide a window into Puerto Rican traditions and celebrations.
The rich musical heritage of Puerto Rico, encompassing salsa, plena, bomba, and hip hop, adds a new dimension to New Jersey’s musical landscape. Vibrant festivals and live performances featuring these genres bring communities together and celebrate Puerto Rican artistic expression. Puerto Rican visual arts, known for their vivid colors and symbolism, can be seen in murals, galleries, and cultural centers across New Jersey. These artworks not only beautify public spaces but also spark conversations about Puerto Rican history, identity, and social issues.
Puerto Rican cultural centers and community organizations began springing up during the 20th century. They still provide gathering spaces for residents to celebrate their heritage, share traditions with younger generations, and maintain connections to their homeland.
The growing number of Puerto Rican-owned businesses in New Jersey, from restaurants and grocery stores to clothing boutiques and professional services, reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of the Puerto Rican community. These businesses not only contribute to the state’s economy but also offer unique products and services that cater to a diverse clientele. The presence of these businesses fosters a more multilingual environment in New Jersey, too, opening opportunities for communication across language barriers.
The integration of Puerto Rican culture into the broader tapestry of New Jersey celebrates the state’s diversity. It fosters a more inclusive environment where residents can appreciate and learn from different cultural traditions.
